Birthday boy Daryl Murphy scored his first goals for two months as Ipswich continued their push for a play-off place with a 2-0 victory over Blackburn.

Two second-half goals were the difference in a largely dismal match as the Ipswich striker scored from the penalty spot after Luke Chambers was pulled down and then made the points safe three minutes before the end.

The scoreline was slightly harsh on a Blackburn side who matched a team with designs on the top six, but they lacked a clinical marksman like Murphy, who celebrated his 33rd birthday in style

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A specialist judge has dismissed an application by tax officials to wind up Sky Bet Championship club Ipswich.

Credit: PA

HM Revenue and Customs had lodged a petition, but barrister Fiona Dewar, who represented tax bosses, told Registrar Clive Jones at a High Court hearing in London on Monday that the debt had been paid in full.

She gave no indication of the size of the sum.

Barrister Charles Sinclair, who represented the Suffolk club, confirmed that the debt had been paid and the judge dismissed the winding-up application.

Anthony Martial stepped off the bench and scored his fourth goal in four matches as Manchester United strolled into the fourth round of the Capital One Cup with a 3-0 win over Ipswich.

United's 4-0 defeat to MK Dons in this competition last year is regarded as the worst loss of Dutchman Louis van Gaal's tenure and there was no way he was going to let Ipswich record a similar result on Wednesday.

Anthony Martial scored again. Credit: PA

The United boss sent out a near full-strength side, and they spared little energy dispatching an Ipswich team that contained 11 changes.

Wayne Rooney scored his first goal in domestic competition this season, taking down Daley Blind's long pass before beating Ipswich goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski.

Andreas Pereira, making his first start, netted his maiden strike for the club - a dipping free-kick from 20 yards - before Martial raced through and prodded the ball home in injury time to continue his excellent start to life at Old Trafford.